A distraught Canvey widow today vowed to fight on after a GP found guilty of serious professional misconduct was again allowed to practise single-handedly.

Marilyn Joiner spoke as Dr Herbert Montague-Brown was allowed to go back to work alone despite his treatment of her husband Richard being "inappropriate and irresponsible" while on call with Westcliff GP service Healthcall.

The doctor was ordered to follow a training and development programme and not engage in any form of single-handed general practice after being found guilty by the General Medical Council professional conduct committee.

However, at the latest hearing, committee chairman Manny Devaux told Dr Montague-Brown: "The committee has concluded it is not necessary to make any further direction."

Dr Montague-Brown, 52, of Southminster, will be allowed to resume unrestricted practice on June 5.

Mrs Joiner stormed out of the hearing, insisting: "If necessary, I will have my husband's body exhumed."

Dr Montague-Brown attended patient Richard Joiner at his Canvey home on July 5 1998. Mr Joiner had suffered violent vomiting and the doctor gave him an injection of Stemetil of more than double the normal dose.

Eight hours later Mr Joiner died of a heart attack although a post mortem concluded the cause of death was unrelated to the injection.

The first disciplinary hearing found the doctor had not obtained an adequate medical history of Mr Joiner and did not perform a proper physical examination.

Published Monday, May 19, 2003

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